Building confidence through food literacy education

Our Impact

Over the last decade, The Charlie Cart Project has reached over 500,000 children and families through our 500 community partners across the country.

By The Numbers

500,000

Children and Families Reached Annually

1,400+

Educators Trained

500+

Community Partners Across 47 States

Beyond the Numbers

The Charlie Cart Project opens minds, builds confidence, and changes attitudes toward healthy food.
Food Advocacy
“
People are blown away that I’ll get these kids to eat beets. [At first] the kids really freak out because beets are so ugly on the outside, but then I show them when you cut it, it’s just beautiful on the inside. Then, they try something with beets, like a rainbow smoothie, and they’re like, “oh, that’s bussin and bussin!”
If it’s one “bussin,” it’s good, if it’s two, it’s really good.
Building confidence through food literacy education
“
One of my favorite stories is a young teen who hated guacamole, so I worked with her. We talked about what was in it. I had her make it “hands on.” By the end she was a huge fan, and she ran out with what she made to her mom shouting.
“You’ve got to taste this, we gotta make this at home.”
Building confidence through food literacy education
“
I notice that the more consistently I get to a school, cooking becomes familiar, and the kids feel more confident to try new things. This extends way beyond the kitchen.
Gaining confidence in the kitchen teaches them they can do new and hard things out in the rest of the world.

Stories From the Field

K-State Extension’s Central Kansas District and the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank are utilizing a new Charlie Cart

October 5, 2026 – “The Charlie Cart gives us another way to take nutrition education out into the community and make it hands-on, practical and accessible. We’re especially excited about the opportunity to work alongside community partners who are interested in bringing food and nutrition education to the people they serve.”

Dino Nuggets and Dignity

Hill Country Family Services (HCFS) has brought the Charlie Cart Project into local schools, giving students access to a mobile kitchen designed for hands-on cooking and nutrition education. Bryce Boddie, executive director of HCFS, says the project is a natural extension of the organization’s work connecting local families with resources that promote stability and well-being. […]

Charlie Cart program at Swainsboro Elementary School

September 9, 2026 – At Swainsboro Elementary and Primary School, Family Connection is putting the Charlie Cart Program to work as part of its childhood nutrition strategy

Charlie Carts Power Community Food Education

Explore how three community organizations use Charlie Carts to make food education accessible, strengthen community connections, and help people build the skills and confidence to cook and eat well. By Sarah Henry